Can someone explain what has happened to the city of Auburn?

It’s no wonder there are budget issues. Someone should take a look at all the waste that’s going on, justifiably frustrating many residents.

Was it necessary to landscape South Main Street by the “Wall”? The zig-zag sidewalk is awkward and now needs regular maintenance. Lamp posts are an unnecessary utility expense. The street has been narrowed. Adding a turning lane makes no sense. Materials used for paving were substandard and it now needs to be redone as the weather has taken a toll.

Who is paying for that?

The old traffic lights in New Auburn (at Academy and South Main, Mill and South Main, and Broad and South Main) were working fine, so why buy new ones? The timing is off on all of them. Many times, cars, in all directions, are sitting and waiting at red lights.

Then there’s the disaster at the intersection of South Main and Broad Street, which used to be a straight four-way stop. The streets no longer line up evenly. This roadway has also been narrowed with the addition of a sidewalk that gets little to no use. Oh, but the landscaping job is beautiful.

Finally, kindergarten children getting iPads? Where did that funding come from? I would hope the School Committee could have found a better use of these funds.

No wonder there are budget issues resulting in higher taxes.

What has happened and who is responsible for this mess?

Deb Pontbriand, Auburn